Scouring the web for homebrewing deals and finds!

Menu

Canada: Build a Spunding Valve! – How and Why

A Spunding Valve allows you to maintain a set pressure. If pressure in the vessel exceeds the set point, it is expelled. It generally consists of an adjustable PRV valve, a tee, a gauge and a way to connect to your keg.

Are you a US Homebrewer?

Homebrewing Applications of a Spunding Valve

Pressurized fermentation. Ferment in a 5 or 10 gallon corny keg and use your Spunding Valve instead of an airlock. This allows you to ferment at your desired pressure.

Dry hop under pressure. This allows you to dry hop earlier while reducing oxygenation. Active yeast are more likely to metabolize oxygen that’s introduced during dry hopping during active fermentation. Since CO2 is not exiting beer as vigorously under pressure, wanted compounds, flavors and aromas are more likely to stay in your beer under pressure.

Naturally and accurately carbonate beer right in the keg.

An airlock replacement. Keep the valve wide open for non-pressurized fermentations. Only do this if you have plenty of head space. This wouldn’t make a great blow off tube.

Keg to keg transfers. Use the Spunding Valve to allow excess gas to exit the receiving keg as you transfer under pressure. Helps you achieve a slow, controlled and pressurized transfer.

Fix over-carbonated beers.

Test for keg leaks. Pressurize your keg to serving pressure. Put the Spunding Valve on (with the pressure set well above your serving PSI) and note the reading. The gauge should remain steady. If pressure drops, you know you have a keg leak. It’s worth noting that this checks the entire keg including gas body o-ring. That spot is hard to check and other way as it’s only in function when the gas QD is on. When the gas QD is on… it’s difficult to spray and check for bubbles underneath the gas QD. Thanks to Scott Janish for this tip!

As an airlock for long term aging of beers. Airlocks can run dry over time. A Spunding Valve will not.

This is a 2.5 gallon batch of beer that I fermented and naturally carbonated all in a 5 gallon keg. This is a carbonated beer that I poured immediately after it was transferred into a serving keg.

Carbonating with a Spunding Valve

Carbonation directly in your keg allows you to naturally carbonate your beer (saving CO2 and $) while maintaining reasonably tight control on carbonation levels. This could be done by adding priming sugar, capping fermentation prior to the completion of fermentation or more traditional krausening (adding wort back to the fermenter) methods.

Basic Steps for Carbonating in a Keg Using a Spunding Valve:

Prime the keg with your choice of priming sugar or wort (or start this process late in fermentation when some fermentable sugars remain)

Determine your desired pressure based on temperature and desired carbonation using a carbonation chart. See: Balancing Your Draft System for a carbonation chart.

Pressurize the keg to just over your desired final pressure.

Attach the Spunding Valve

Dial down the pressure until you achieve your desired pressure

Wait. As the remaining simple sugars are fermented, carbonation occurs and excess CO2 will be expelled from the spunding valve giving you just the right amount of carbonation. I give it a couple days after reaching target pressure. If you’re less sure how much fermentable sugar remained, I would suggest giving it a few days longer.

Fix Over-Carbonated Beers

Use the same general process as for carbonation (skipping the addition of fermentable sugar). Use a carbonation chart to determine proper pressure for the temperature the keg is at. See: Balancing Your Draft System for a carbonation chart. The Spunding Valve allows excess pressure to vent until the new carbonation level is achieved. You can agitate the keg to fix carbonation more quickly.

Building A Spunding Valve

Note: Product pages may display other size variations of the fittings used here. If a particular size is out of stock, sometimes suppliers link to another size. All thread sizes for this build are 1/4″. If you want to replicate this build, pay special attention to the fitting sizes that are used and double check to make sure you’re purchasing the correct size fittings.

This valve [Control Devices CR Series Brass Pressure Relief Valve, 0-100 psi Adjustable Pressure Range, 1/4″ Male NPT] is the heart of this Spunding Valve build. It is essentially a manually adjustable pressure relief valve. This one is adjustable from 0 to 100 PSI. There is no homebrewing-related situation I’m aware of that would have you at 100 PSI. Generally you’d be at or below 30 PSI. As always, you’ll want to ensure that all components in your system (kegs, tubing, etc) are rated for your desired pressure. Also, always read and follow manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines.

This build constitutes the second version of this valve for me. My first build had a 30 PSI gauge. That’s good for almost every situation. With this update I wanted the ability to go to a little higher pressure if needed. I used a Zenport DPG60 Gauge for this build. It reads 0 to 60 PSI.

Here is the completed build – thank you to /u/workaccount32 on reddit for this photo

Spunding Valve Tips

Check for leaks. If you’re using a version that has a QD installed in some form or fashion, you can pressurize it on a keg and then take it off. There will be a small drop when you take it off, but the pressure should remain steady after that. If it’s going down, make sure everything is tight. If you don’t have a QD… spray with Star San or soapy water until you are leak free.

When setting desired pressure… start high and work your way down. As the valve gets close to where it is going to eventually settle, it slows down the release of gas. Working your way slowly down, helps you hit your desired pressure without passing it (going too low).

Spunding Build Parts List

Note: Product pages may display other size variations of the fittings used here. If a particular size is out of stock, sometimes suppliers link to another size. All thread sizes for this build, both NPT and flare, are 1/4″. If you want to replicate this build, pay special attention to the fitting sizes that are used and double check to make sure you’re purchasing the correct size fittings.

Categories

Categories

Archives

Archives

DISCLAIMER

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Homebrew Finds makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. To use Homebrew Finds you must be 21 years or older.

Affiliate Disclosure

Homebrew Finds is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Links to other websites may also be affiliated including links that are submitted via comments or tips.